Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do you prep wood for Log Home application?

A : The amount of preparation on the wood depends on the condition of the wood. Remember when you are finished applying Hemp Shield, the wood will look the same as it does after the prep. I find a good place to start is with a power washer at about 2500psi and an 8-12 inch fan tip. Start at the top log and power wash down the length of the log. A mild soap solution can be added by way of the pickup tube most washers come with. After the logs are washed clean and dry completely, you can address the mold, mildew issues. Many product work for this well and they there are some form of wood bleach or oxygenated cleaner (Clorox or Oxy-Clean chemistries). You must “sterilize” or kill as much of the mold and mildew as possible before coating the surface. Failure to do this will result in the mold and mildew growing and spreading under the finish. This is a scenario you do not want to deal with. Use the cleaner in sunlight. The UV rays (do not have to hit the home directly) will break the double bonds of the bleach and release the material into the wood and be very effective. On a cloudy day, this effect is muted and less effective. Now you have a clean and sterile wood to finish. Decide on a color or clear and coat a test patch, Let dry overnight and see if this is the finish you are looking for. Remember all wood darkens some over time.

Q: Can you apply Hemp Shield over another Log Home stain and what prep is needed?

A : You betcha! Follow the same cleaning procedure shown above. Assuming you are refinishing because the wood is weathered and needs finishing the Hemp Shield will penetrate the clean dry surface everywhere it is open. On spots where some of the older finish may remain Hemp Shield will coat and help preserve that surface also. I would not recommend Hemp Shield over logs where the old finish is glossy. This will keep the Hemp Shield from working since it cannot penetrate into the wood. If you want to use Hemp Shield and the logs still have a good coat of the previous finish on them it may be necessary to remove the finish with blast media such as glass, walnut shells or other media.

Q: How hot or cold can it be when the Hemp Shield is applied?

A : The best temperatures to apply Hemp Shield are over 50F and under 90F. The dry time will vary depending on the relative humidity. You need the water portion to evaporate for a cure and this can be 2 hours or longer depending on humidity. Old painters have a saying: When applying paint just follow the sun. So start off in the morning on an area as it comes into the shade. Work your way around the house following the sun. This will give you a warm dry surface to paint and a log dry time before the sun hit the surface again. .

Q: How long will Hemp Shield Log Home Treatment last and what makes it special?

A : Generally the duration of the finish is dependent on three items:
1) Design of the home (How much of the home is protected from UV by overhangs and plants.
2) How well are the logs prepared for painting
3) How well is the coating applied
Here is the theory behind Hemp Shield and why we think our tests show such superior performance---
The coating is designed to have high solids and low viscosity. The Hemp emulsion has a very small particle size and is able to penetrate deeply into the wood surface. The emulsion carries with it large amounts of UV absorbers, biocides, trans-oxide pigments, and wood stabilizer. This material fortifies the wood against UV light, bacterial damage, and erosion longer than a simple coating on the surface which peels or washes away. Average lifespan we see has been 3-5 years from one coat on cedar, pine, fir, and redwood.

Q: Can Hemp Shield be touched up?

A : A common issue is product damage occurring during transit and installation. Hemp Shield may be touched up over itself at any time. If they are using a color, the area where touch up is applied may appear darker and will need to be feather in. Not an issue with the clear. A second coat of Hemp Shield is not an issue (interior) with the “clear” as far as performance. However, a second coat may result in slightly higher gloss due to higher solids applied.

The reason we do not recommend a second coat of Hemp Shield for exterior is two-fold:
1) The formula for Hemp Shield contains some wax emulsions. While it is re-coatable when exposed to severe weather there may be a separation between coats.
2) The solids in a single coat are more than sufficient to protect the wood long term. A second coat is usually a waste of money.

Q: Can Hemp Shield be applied by a pump garden style pressure sprayer?

A : Yes, the do-it-yourselfers could use a pump-up applicator, as long as they apply only as much Hemp Shield as the wood will absorb. Multiple coats are not needed.

Q: How are coverage rates determined?

A : “Coverage rates” are a simple calculation. The volume of solids of the coating times 1,604 equals the square feet at one mill dry film thickness. So if you’re coating has 50% volume solids the coverage rate is 802 square feet at one mil. If you are applying at .5 mil then your coverage rate is 1604 square feet. This is independent of any penetration into the substrate. The penetration into wood varies greatly with the species of wood, and the porosity of the surface. The porosity may be affected by the cut of the grain, the amount of weathering of wood, and the amount of moisture in the wood. Hemp Shield is a blend of emulsified Hemp Oil and flexible acrylic polymer. The formula contains wetting agents to lower the surface tension and help pull the polymer as deep into the wood as possible to not only coat the surface but fill the wood cells with the polymer, UV inhibits and Hemp Oil. This stabilizes the wood from UV degradation as much as possible. Hemp Shield has higher volume solids than most products on the market. Part of the reason for Hemp Shield superior performance is the increased solids. We are not filling the wood with solvent or water; rather, we are filling the wood with oil and stabilizing polymers.

Q: How long should you wait until applying to a new pressure treated deck?

A : Any former sealant traces have to be gone from the grain of the wood before HS will work properly. The surface should be clear of anything blocking the grain either by using a deck cleaner, power washing or sanding (or any combination of these actions) so that Hemp Shield can penetrate the wood unobstructed.

Q: How long does it take Hemp Shield to dry?

A : Hemp Shield is dry to touch in 1 hour, serviceable at 77F/50% relative humidity in about 12 hours with full cure in 48-72 hours. Hemp Shield contains no alkyd resin so it dries strictly by evaporation and therefore dry times are dependent on relative humidity.

Q: Do the tints used in Hemp Shield color stains add VOC?

A : The tints used in Hemp Shield add no VOC to the product since Hemp Shield uses a stir in modified Trans oxide pigment rather than a conventional tint base.

Q: If Hemp Shield doesn’t have the color I want, can I order a special color?

A : Yes, Hemp Shield will produce any color with a minimum order of 50 gallons.

Q: We say Hemp Shield is much better than the completion, so what makes Hemp Shield different?

A : Steve Neiswander the Vice President and inventor of the Hemp Shield formula, explains it best: “As coating chemists our research lab decided to throw out all the stops, when we developed Hemp Shield. We went to the very best technology available in the market. We used UV absorbers, typically found in automotive coatings, in our deck stain, so we could reduce the amount of discoloration in the wood. We chose biocides that are brand new to the market, which are encapsulated, so rather than releasing a large quantity of biocide in the environment at one time there is a time release on the biocide, keep it just as effective without damaging the environment, this new biocide has now been approved in California. We also developed the lowest VOC coating we could which means it has the least amount of Volatile Organic Compounds, far below what the legal limits are in any state in the United States. We think that this coating is the “greenest” deck finish on the market today” This along with the synergistic benefits of using emulsified Hemp Oil, truly differentiates Hemp Shield from traditional stains sold in today’s market.

Q: How long will Hemp Shield last on a deck before the deck has to be restained?

A : It is not possible to give a definitive answer because projected life is dependent on the “where” and to “what” the product is applied. However, weatherization tests data can be used to estimate the projected life compared to competing products. You can review our test data on the Hemp Shield website. “Unofficially” we expect the longevity to be at least 3-3.5 years.

Q: How do you apply Hemp Shield on Mill Glaze lumber?

A : Mill Glaze is a common problem with mill cut wood which is manufactured using a dull planning blade. The surface of the wood becomes heated bringing the wood tannins and acids up to the surface, heating and, than sealing the wood. The wood will then not accept stains. There are two basic ways to deal with mill glaze. The first is exposure to weather which will open the wood naturally over time. The wood may than be stained. The second method is using a commercially available Wood Glaze Remover. These materials are a combination of water, solvent and wetting agents which dissolve the glaze and open the wood for staining. If you do not remove the glaze and attempt to stain the wood it will stain unevenly and you will have.

Q: Is 896 colorant compatible for use in tinting Hemp Sheild?

A : Yes, 896 colorant is compatible with Hemp Shield. Only care should be taken that deep base (solid color tints) many have slower dry times than normal.

Q: What Is the best type of brush to use in applying Hemp Shield?

A : The best type would be an exploded tip nylon brush for use with water or solvent based paints.

About Us

Hemp Shield Wood Finish and Deck Sealer™ is unlocking the properties of hemp oil to offer significant improvements in finishes for
exterior wood. This natural seed oil is much more readily accepted into wood fiber than other plant or petroleum sourced oils.